Health care-seeking practices of pregnant women and the role of the midwife in Cape Town, South Africa

The objective of this study was to investigate the health-seeking practices of pregnant women in a periurban area in Cape Town, South Africa. This qua litative study was based on 103 minimally structured in-depth interviews of 32 pregnant women. Most women were interviewed on several occasions, and a group discussion was held with women. The interviews were taped, transcrib ed, analyzed ethnographically, and. if necessary, translated into English. Antenatal care attendance was influenced by a number of factors, including women's knowledge of the role of antenatal care, perceived health needs, bo oking systems, nurse-patient relationships, economics, child care. and tran sport. The expected benefits were weighed against the anticipated costs bef ore decisions about seeking care were made. The findings highlight the impo rtance of women's perceptions of quality of care in influencing their healt h seeking practices. The study suggests that considerably more attention ne eds to be given to this aspect of maternity services. (C) 2001 by the Ameri can College of Nurse-Midwives.